China urges "inclusive" political transition in Libya

BEIJING Oct 21 (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry urged
Libya on Friday to start the transition to "an inclusive
political process" in the wake of the death of Muammar Gaddafi.

"At the moment, Libya's history has turned a new page," said
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu in a statement issued on
the ministry's website (www.mfa.gov.cn) after Libya's interim
government announced Gaddafi's death.

"We hope that the transition to an inclusive political
process will start as soon as possible, (so as to) safeguard
ethnic unity and national unity, restore social stability as
soon as possible and rebuild the economy, so that citizens can
lead happy and peaceful lives."

China had a strained relationship with Libya's interim
government after Beijing's frosty reaction to NATO-led air
strikes and attempts by Chinese firms to sell weapons to
Gaddafi, but now says ties with the major oil producer are back
to normal.

China recognised Libya's National Transitional Council as
Libya's "ruling authority" last month, saying the umbrella of
rebel groups against Gaddafi's rule had vowed to respect
Beijing's economic interests.

Libya's interim council has promised rewards for those who
took a leading role in backing the revolt against Gaddafi,
raising concern that China could be disadvantaged in the key
energy sector.

China did not use its U.N. Security Council veto power in
March to block a resolution that authorised the NATO bombing
campaign against Gaddafi's forces, but it condemned the
expanding strikes and repeatedly urged compromise between his
government and the rebels.

China is the world's second-biggest oil consumer and last
year obtained 3 percent of its imported crude from Libya.
(Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee; Editing by Ken Wills and Raju
Gopalakrishnan)